English Dictionary

Definition of “plunge”

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plunge (plʌndʒPronunciation for plunge) 

Definitions

verb

  1. (usually foll by into) to thrust or throw (something, oneself, etc)  ⇒ they plunged into the sea 
  2. to throw or be thrown into a certain state or condition  ⇒ the room was plunged into darkness 
  3. (usually foll by into) to involve or become involved deeply (in)  ⇒ he plunged himself into a course of Sanskrit 
  4. (intr) to move or dash violently or with great speed or impetuosity
  5. (intr) to descend very suddenly or steeply  ⇒ the ship plunged in heavy seas a plunging neckline 
  6. (intr) informal to speculate or gamble recklessly, for high stakes, etc

noun

  1. a leap or dive as into water
  2. informal a swim; dip
  3. mainly US a place where one can swim or dive, such as a swimming pool
  4. a headlong rush  ⇒ a plunge for the exit 
  5. a pitching or tossing motion
  6. See take the plunge

Word Origin

C14: from Old French plongier,  from Vulgar Latin plumbicāre  (unattested) to sound with a plummet, from Latin plumbum lead

Translations

  • British English: plunge Pronunciation for plunge If something or someone plunges in a particular direction, especially into water, they fall, rush, or throw themselves in that direction.At least 50 people died when a bus plunged into a river.plʌndʒ VERB At least 50 people died when a bus plunged into a river.
  • Spanish: zambullirse Pronunciation for zambullirse v
  • French: plonger Pronunciation for plonger vi
  • German: eintauchen Pronunciation for eintauchen v
  • Chinese: 跳进Pronunciation for 跳进 v
  • Arabic: يَغْطُسُPronunciation for يَغْطُسُ v
  • Portuguese: mergulharPronunciation for mergulhar v
  • Russian: погружать(ся)Pronunciation for погружать(ся) v
  • Croatian: baciti sePronunciation for baciti se v
  • Czech: vrhnout (se)Pronunciation for vrhnout (se) v vrhat (se)
  • Danish: plumpePronunciation for plumpe v
  • Dutch: duikenPronunciation for duiken v
  • Finnish: syöksyäPronunciation for syöksyä v
  • Greek: βυθίζωPronunciation for βυθίζω v
  • Italian: tuffarsiPronunciation for tuffarsi v
  • Japanese: 突っ込むPronunciation for 突っ込む v
  • Korean: 뛰어들다Pronunciation for 뛰어들다 v
  • Norwegian: dykkPronunciation for dykk nnt
  • Polish: zanurzyćPronunciation for zanurzyć v zanurzać
  • Brazilian Portuguese: mergulharPronunciation for mergulhar v
  • European Spanish: zambullirse Pronunciation for zambullirse v
  • Swedish: störta sigPronunciation for störta sig v
  • Thai: พุ่งไปอย่างรวดเร็วPronunciation for พุ่งไปอย่างรวดเร็ว v
  • Turkish: hızla atlamakPronunciation for hızla atlamak v
  • Vietnamese: lao xuốngPronunciation for lao xuống v

Usage examples

  • He saw a vision of himself tumbling head over heels in a headlong plunge to his certain destruction.
    Stuart Harrison, LOST SUMMER (2002)
  • I will be a fool if I take the plunge without any guarantees.
    India Today (2002)
  • But the really troubling news was the continuing plunge in manufacturing, where 56,000 more jobs disappeared.
    Globe and Mail (2003)
  • These women plunge into extremely personal details about their lives with hardly an introduction.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • In Dan's case his owners hadn't fully researched their subject before they took the plunge.
    Standen, Chris, Superdog! Action plans that work for a happy and well-behaved pet (1990)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'P'

Related Terms

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